Medical brain enhancement: New treatment options for patients struggling with mental illness and injury

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  Quantumrun Foresight
• January 30, 2022

Insight summary

Medical brain enhancement technologies, such as mind-controlled prosthetics and cognitive-enhancing drugs, hold the potential to dramatically improve the lives of individuals with mental impairments and physical disabilities. However, significant technological and pharmaceutical advancements are needed to fully realize this potential, with artificial intelligence and machine learning likely playing a key role. The implications of these advancements include reducing the burden on caregivers, opening new markets for healthcare and technology companies, and prompting governments to establish regulations for safety, efficacy, and ethical use.

Medical brain enhancement context

Scientists are experimenting with technology that can improve the quality of life for patients living with permanent mental impairments. For instance, a Duke University researcher is developing prosthetic devices that patients can control with their minds. Such devices will assist amputees, and people with degenerative disorders like Huntington’s disease, gain improved mobility and accessibility within their surroundings. These devices work by decoding and implementing electrical signals sent to and from the brain. 

However, while brain researchers understand the problem that needs to be solved–allowing the brain to communicate with artificial limbs to the same degree as natural limbs–the neural interfaces required are not technologically advanced enough to fulfill this purpose. As an example, software and device development still need to advance significantly to decode the significant number of simultaneous brain signals that allow a person to move their fingers at will. If scientists can find improved ways of decoding the signals from the brain, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning will likely play a significant role in this advancement.

Meanwhile, other researchers are approaching brain enhancement through drug development. One such drug is the triple receptor agonist (TA), which can improve cognitive functions in Alzheimer’s caused due to Diabetes Mellitus Type 2. It does so by stimulating the release of essential hormones and enhancing the quality of neuronal transmissions called synapses.

In 2017, a drug was developed to improve memory formation in a mouse with the necessary physical attributes to be a model of Alzheimer's disease found in humans. This drug, a novel triple GLP-1/GIP/glucagon receptor agonist, reduces oxidative stress and inflammation while increasing synapse numbers in the brain. Scientists were also able to correct the memory and learning deficits associated with Down Syndrome (DS) patients using a standard animal model. DS is the most diagnosed chromosomal disorder in the US and the leading genetic cause of cognitive disability.  

Disruptive impact

By improving cognitive function, these technologies can enhance the quality of life for affected individuals, enabling them to live more independently and engage more fully in society. This trend could lead to increased self-esteem and mental well-being, as individuals are able to overcome previously insurmountable challenges. Furthermore, it could also reduce the emotional and financial burden on families and caregivers, as the need for constant care and support may decrease.

For companies in the healthcare and technology sectors, the development and implementation of medical brain enhancement technologies could open up new markets and opportunities. Companies could develop new products and services tailored to the needs of individuals benefiting from these enhancements, leading to job creation in neurotechnology, cognitive rehabilitation, and personalized medicine. However, companies would also need to navigate potential ethical and regulatory challenges associated with these technologies, such as ensuring privacy and consent, and addressing potential disparities in access and affordability.

Governments may need to establish and enforce regulations to ensure the safety, efficacy, and ethical use of these technologies. Additionally, governments could invest in research and development, education, and public awareness initiatives to promote the responsible use of these technologies. By enabling more individuals to participate in economic activities, medical brain enhancement could also contribute to economic growth and social inclusion, supporting broader goals of health equity and social justice.

Implications of brain medical enhancement

Wider implications of medical brain enhancement may include:

• Treating cognitive diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, by improving memory formation, reducing inflammation, and reducing oxidative stress in patients.
• Developing advanced brain-controlled prosthetics that allow people with mental and physical disabilities to live a more independent life.
• Utilizing transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to alleviate sensory processing difficulties, one of the handicapping symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
• Boosting national economies by allowing people with intelligence-related deficits to participate in economic activities where they would usually be excluded.
• A shift in societal norms and perceptions about cognitive abilities and disabilities.
• New laws and regulations to ensure the ethical use of brain enhancement technologies, leading to a more secure and equitable society.
• The production and disposal of these technologies could be subject to sustainability regulations, leading to a push for more environmentally friendly practices.

Questions to consider

• What potential could medical brain enhancement solutions hold for the mental healthcare field in particular?
• Could medical brain enhancement drugs and devices one day have a noticeable impact on treating individuals with mental disabilities so that they can lead more independent lives?